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[art]

Why is it that an umpire's decision is no longer good enough in cricket?

[Howzat]

Because they always get everything wrong? (Most of the time)

[Sambo]

Society. Although i think its more emphasized now than it was ever before. maybe because of the gilly-walking thing

[Redback Cricket]

Because of the media.....

After showing the 20 super slow motion replays, snicko, hotspot, (all designed to prove a wrong desision) etc you can see sometimes maybe a desision was wrong - then the commentators/pundits go on about what a 'shocker' it was for the rest of the game.....

The same is happening in every sport, not just cricket.  It just makes me laugh when the commentator isnt willing to give an opinion on a decision until they have seen the replays.

Anyway, back to the point, because of this people now question the desisions because thats whats done on TV!

[art]

It's a serious question leo, believe it or not.

[Sambo]

Does it happen much in lower grade cricket art

[stevie]

I think it is to do with all the technology that is around now. You have technology that cover's every decision and ther's no way an umpire can make a mistake without it being pointed out by some smart (No Swearing Please) commentator.

[art]

Good question. Umpiring back here this winter I got to do a mixture of all grades which was both challenging and refreshing and frankly it showed how comparatively easy top grade umpiring is. After all you don't in top grades get two wides followed by a no ball then an absolute jaffa. And of course often in lower grade wickets are not as good which makes umpiring even harder.

I very rarely have any trouble on the field. Someone wants to stand and query my decison if its a batsman he is shown the way off and if it is a fielder then I explain my reasoning in as few a number of words as possible and that is that. A captain has the right of query and I always respect that and give the bowler a quick reason as a matter of course.

As a general rule the better the rapport the better the decision making because if things do get a little tough out there it is usual for people, all people, to fold under pressure. Almost to a man players just want consistency and be it consistently bad or good for everyone most folks are happy. It is only when decision making gets really ratty do complaints follow and that often happens when an umpire is rattled by something.

Me I don't care because frankly if someone wants to start on me I give them double back. It fixes things very rapidly.

I have a different mindset, I umpire to enjoy the game and to relax.

[Tom]

Why is it that an umpire's decision is no longer good enough in cricket?

A batsman finds it easier to pass responsibility of getting out onto the Umpire. If you're LBW for example, it's never the batsmans fault that he got hit in front of the stumps on the pads it's the Umpires as he had a good stride in or he'd got an inside edge. It's rare for a batsman to say it was plumb or was a poor shot.

[art]

As a quick aside I had a team captain standing at the non strikers end give one of his team out LBW before I raised the finger. This was in a semi a couple of weeks ago and a first ball duck at that. Yes I have had batsmen walk on LBW appeals and damn good batsmen at that but it is a rarity.

Best sledge in top grade last season I got was from a bowler who appealed for LBW, didn't turn around  and I kept my finger down he spun around a asked again. I did nothing and the bowler looked a little cross. I pointed out my finger was not needed because he had walked. The bowler made two remarks.

"Good to see how much respect you are shown here."

followed by.

"By the way if you hadn't given it I was walking off.

best laugh I had had on the field for a long time.

Two matches later I gave him an official warning for running on the wicket. He nodded and agreed I was right but added "That was just a get square for my sledge last match."

I had to hold the bowler while everyone stopped laughing.

[Redback Cricket]

Why is it ok for a bowler or the fielding captain to question a decision but not the batsman?

[art]

Good question.

There is a section in the Code of Conduct or a related item from the ICC that expressly states this but because my computer and the ICC site are non compatabale (it keeps trying to load a trojan site full of nasties) I will need to find it somewhere else.

[art]

Redback, if we look at the Code of Conduct as offiially set out under Level 1 and Level 2 offences for the sections relating to 'showing dissent' to an umpire it states the following "The Rule does not prevent the bowler in the decision or the team captain from asking an umpire to provide an explanation for a decion or a Team official from making a formal complaint."

That states clearly who has what rights. I have never been comfortable about the Team official bit because due to a lack of clear definition it seems the scorer's pencil carrier believes that they are a team official and parents of under age often believe that the right of a god resides with them on all issues.

I failed my first practical umpiring test all those years ago because I dared tell a bowler why he wasn't get LBW's. The bowler was left arm, couldn't bring the ball and was rather volatile to say the least at almost every match. Quiet as a mouse in that match.

Ever in the 1980 edition of Tom Smith's there is a specific direction that umpire's should not talk to players. Thankfully things have changed.

[Sambo]

hey art what state are you in

[art]

Queensland